Short answer. The best shin guard for most Muay Thai gyms is a Thai-style guard with a padded instep, such as the Fairtex SP5 Competition. If you are between sizes or have long or short feet, the Fairtex SP7 Twister has a detachable, swivelling instep. Neoprene sleeve guards are faster to put on but shorter, so keep them for light technical sparring. Fairtex sizes by height; Blitz and Revgear size by shin length.
Three kinds of shin guard
Thai-style with a padded instep. A thick shin pad joined to a foot pad that covers the top of the foot. This is what most Muay Thai gyms expect for sparring, because it protects both people when a kick is checked.
Detachable or adjustable instep. The same idea, but the foot pad can be moved or removed so the guard fits different leg and foot lengths.
Slip-on sleeve. A sock-like neoprene sleeve with padding sewn in. Quick to put on and lighter, but the pad is shorter: on Fairtex's chart the neoprene SP6 pad is 27–30 cm long, against 34–42 cm for the SP5. Better for light technical sparring than for hard kicking.
The picks
1. Fairtex SP5 Competition
A Thai-style guard built to amateur competition rules, which also makes it a sensible single pair for gym sparring.
- Shin and foot pad joined in one seamless piece, no stitching between them (Fairtex)
- No metal loop, removed to meet amateur competition rules (Fairtex)
- PU shell over a double layer of high-density foam, with extended side and top coverage (Fairtex)
- Sizes S to XL by height, 150–195 cm
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2. Fairtex SP7 Twister
For people between sizes or with long or short feet. The in-step protector detaches and swivels.
- Detachable in-step with up to 180 degrees of swivel adjustment (Fairtex)
- Reinforced front padding and an expanded side protection area (Fairtex)
- Hook-and-loop straps let you reposition the guard on the leg
- No size S: the chart starts at M (160 cm)
3. Neoprene sleeve guards
If your gym only does light technical sparring and you want something fast to put on, a sleeve-style guard is the light option. Several brands make them, so check the pad length on the listing.
- Slips on like a sock, no straps to come loose
- Shorter, thinner pad than a Thai-style guard
- Not the pick for hard sparring or for heavier kickers
Shin guard size chart
Fairtex sizes shin guards by height. Stand against a wall without shoes, mark the top of your head and measure from the floor. If you are between sizes, the smaller size usually fits more snugly; size up if you prefer a looser fit.
Fairtex SP5 (by height)
| Size | Height | Pad length | Foot width |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 150–160 cm | 34 cm | 14 cm |
| M | 160–179 cm | 38 cm | 15 cm |
| L | 179–185 cm | 39 cm | 15 cm |
| XL | 185–195 cm | 42 cm | 14 cm |
Fairtex SP7 (by height)
| Size | Height | Pad length | Foot width |
|---|---|---|---|
| M | 160–179 cm | 32.5 cm | 13 cm |
| L | 179–185 cm | 33.5 cm | 13.5 cm |
| XL | 185–195 cm | 34.5 cm | 14 cm |
Blitz and Revgear (by shin length)
Blitz and Revgear size by the length of your shin instead. Measure from just below the knee down to the top of the ankle, where the foot meets the shin. Blitz describes it as the bottom of the knee to the top of the ankle; Revgear as the top of the foot to just below the knee. Blitz lists the length of each guard's shin pad, and the instep pad where there is one; Revgear gives a shin-length range per size.
| Model | Shin pad length by size | Instep pad |
|---|---|---|
| Blitz Elite (removable foot) | S 30 cm · M 31 cm · L 33 cm · XL 34 cm | 17 cm · 18 cm · 19 cm · 20 cm |
| Blitz Centurion | S/M 38 cm · L/XL 40 cm | 17 cm · 18 cm |
| Blitz Nitro | S/M 34 cm · L/XL 46 cm | 15 cm · 15 cm |
| Revgear Superlite | S 13–15 in · M 15–17 in · L 17–19 in · XL 19+ in (your shin length) | Not listed |
Blitz's charts for the Centurion and Nitro list two-size bands (Small/Medium and Large/X-Large), and the Elite is also sold in XS and XXS, which its chart does not show. Blitz has no chart for the Titan.
Quick size check
How a shin guard should fit
The pad should run from just below the knee to the ankle without covering the kneecap, and the foot pad should cover the top of the foot without covering the toes completely. If the guard spins on your leg when you kick, the straps are too loose or the guard is too big.
Pair your shin guards with 14oz or heavier sparring gloves and a mouthguard. The starter kit guide has the full list.
Buying in the UK
Blitz, a UK store and one of our partner stores, sells its own shin guards with an instep pad, including a model with a removable foot. Blitz sizes them by shin length: see the chart above or the size check.
Buying in the US
Revgear, a US store and one of our partner stores, sells its own shin guards. Its Superlite size guide is in the chart above; for other models, check the sizes on the product page.
FAQ
What size shin guards do I need?
Fairtex sizes by height: S 150–160 cm, M 160–179 cm, L 179–185 cm, XL 185–195 cm for the SP5. Blitz and Revgear size by shin length, measured from just below the knee to the top of the ankle: Revgear's Superlite is S for 13–15 in, M 15–17 in, L 17–19 in and XL 19 in and up. Check the chart for the guard you buy; the size check on this page looks your numbers up in each chart.
How do I measure my shin for shin guards?
Measure from just below the knee to the top of the ankle, where the foot meets the shin. Blitz and Revgear both size this way. Fairtex sizes by height instead, measured without shoes.
Can I use soccer shin pads for Muay Thai?
No. Soccer pads protect against studs and impacts from the front. They have no instep cover and are not made for kicking or checking kicks.
Do I need shin guards to train?
For pads and bag work, no. For sparring, almost every gym requires them, together with a mouthguard.
Sources
- Fairtex, Competition Shin Guards SP5
- Fairtex, Twister Shin Guards SP7
- Fairtex, Sizing chart (shin guards SP3, SP5, SP6, SP7, SP8)
- Blitz, Elite Shin Guards With Removable Foot (size guide)
- Blitz, Centurion Shin Guards (size guide)
- Blitz, Nitro Shin Guards (size guide)
- Blitz, Dipped Foam Shin Guards (how to measure)
- Revgear, Superlite MMA Shin Guard (size and fit guidance)
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